All our frames are made at our Algha Works factory on Fish Island, in East London. We have made frames there since 1932. You could say we're old, but that would be rude of you.

What are your frames made of?

The primary ingredient of our frames is 18 karat rolled gold. This is a wire with a monel core, and 10 microns of gold wrapped around it — about 20 times the thickness of standard plating. Depending on the finish, we then plate this with 24 karat gold, or rhodium (silver). Due to the hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant properties of gold, and the fact that rolled gold thickness prevents the exposure of the monel core even with significant wear and tear, our Classic frames have the potential to last a lifetime. Our Combination frames use high quality Italian acetate for the fronts, and our crafted rolled gold for the temples.

How are your frames made?

Our factory in London has machinery that dates as far back as the turn of the 19th century. This machinery constitutes the core of our production process. Highly specialized metalworking machines guided by our skilled artisans, they press, bend, and shape wires of 18 karat rolled gold into the metal components of our frames. Each frame takes on average about 120 processes and several days to make. Our Classic collection is entirely made in this manner. Our Combination collection still uses our handmade metal temples, but combines this with modern techniques for shaping the acetate fronts. We make our frames with diligence, care, and stiff upper lips.

Are your frames custom-made?

Yes. Savile Row Eyewear is a tailored, custom-made product, so we do not hold stock, and produce all our frames to order. As a result, we offer an immense variety of frames, with different eye sizes, bridge widths, temples lengths, and finishes.

Can I visit your factory?

We feel sometimes like we're a living museum, and we understand that there's a lot of history to appreciate at the Algha Works factory. However, the factory is often very busy, and we may not be able to accommodate visits easily. If you contact us well in advance and let us know your contact details as well as the purpose and date of your visit, we might be able to show you around. Unfortunately, we can't promise anything - except that if we have to let you down, we'll be nice about it!

What are your opening times?

We are open from 8:30 to 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 8:30 to 16:00 on Friday. We find ending half an hour early on Fridays very refreshing.

Have you been mentioned in the media?

Many times. Indeed, Algha and Savile Row Eyewear are household names among experienced opticians, who will remember the days in which Algha was one of two official suppliers of eyewear to the UK’s National Health Service from the 1950s to the 1980s and our subsequent transition into the Savile Row Eyewear brand. Below are but some of many media mentions regarding Algha and Savile Row Eyewear.

If you already have an account with us, just send us an e-mail with your order, or place your order through our wholesale webshop! If you do not yet have an account, just send us an e-mail. To open a new account with us, you need to place a minimum order of 20 pieces. Once the account is open, you are welcome (and even encouraged!) to order 1 at a time for specific customers.

Can I buy your frames online?

Yes! Head to the 'Wholesale' section of the website to do this. This section is password-protected, so you will first need to ask us for the password. Please keep your account number at hand for when you do this.

Information for individuals

How can I buy your frames?

This depends on where you live. We have stockists worldwide, and recommend visiting a nearby optician who stocks our product for the best fit. If you'd like to know if there are Savile Row Eyewear opticians near you, please head to our stockist finder.

If there is no Savile Row stockist near you, you can use our online store.

Can I buy your frames online?

Yes!

However, we firmly believe that opticians provide an invaluable service, and that that service should be used whenever possible by those who want prescription frames. This is especially the case for custom-made frames, such as ours, because you will be unable to change your mind and return the frame if you provided the wrong measurements. If you'd like to know the details of opticians near you that stock our product, please head to our stockist finder!

How does the store work?

Just go to our store, and browse what you'd like! If you have any questions, we suggest you refer to our guidance page before contacting us.

How can I fit prescription lenses to your frames?

When you purchase our frames online, they are fitted with demo lenses. When they arrive, you should take them to a local optician, who will be able to fit the appropriate lenses. We cannot currently sell frames with your prescription already fitted, though this is something we aim to offer in the future.

Can I use your frames as sunglasses?

Sure! You can request that we ship your Classic or Combination frame with tinted or polarised lenses. You can also buy our sunclips to fit your Classic prescription frames, thereby providing you simultaneously with sun protection and vision correction.

What is your return policy?

Because Savile Row Eyewear is custom-made and we do not hold stock, we cannot accept returns. We can exchange an order if you'd be interested in handing in your recently-purchased frame, and ordering an identical frame with slightly different measurements to better fit you. This requires payment of a $150 fee.

We have a manufacturer's warranty which lasts two years from the date you receive your frames. For specifics as to what is covered and what is not, please head to our guidance page.

I have placed an order. What now?

We will shortly begin production on your frame. We expect that this will take us 10-15 working days for small orders, and possibly more for larger orders. Any Combination frame order can take up to 5 weeks. Once production is complete, we will send you an e-mail notifying you of this, and it will contain a tracking number for your shipment. Expect another 1-5 working days for delivery, excluding any potential customs delays. If at any point you'd like to know the status of your order, please contact us.

Product information

What is the difference between a W-bridge (also known as a saddle bridge) and a Cresta (or padded) bridge?

A W-bridge rests directly on the nose, while a Cresta bridge will have nose pads. Many find the saddle bridge more comfortable, as the weight of the frame is more dispersed than when it is concentrated in two points as is the case with a Cresta bridge. However, because the saddle bridge places the metal in direct contact with the skin, there is a possibility of corrosion. This is a rather rare occurrence, and depends on the person, but if you sweat a lot, make sure to wipe the bridge clean regularly to prevent any damage to the frame.

If you are of Asian descent, W-bridges can sometimes be tricky, as they depend on prominent noses. If you are unsure, we would advise trying a frame with a W-bridge in person before ordering online.

What is the difference between the different type of temples you offer?

We have many different types of temples: hockey end temples, curl temples, Beaufort temples, and pear tip temples. Additionally, you can add acetate side-covers to the hockey end temples, as well as a full acetate cover (we call these polo temples)

Hockey end temples (sometimes called skull temples) are the standard temples you'll see everywhere: they rest on the ear and curve slightly to hug the skull.

Curl temples (sometimes called cable temples) are made of thin wire and wrap around the ear. These are particularly useful for people who move a lot and need their glasses to stay on.

Beaufort temples wrap around the ear just like the curl temples. The core difference is that Beaufort temples are made of a thicker wire. Some people find this more comfortable. Additionally, there is a side-cover that lines the first half of the temple.

Why do I need to know my lens thickness for a Diaflex frame?

This is because we need to make a component differently depending on the thickness of the lens. Unfortunately, we are unable to make a one-size-fits-all strap (the part that screws onto the lens), so all lenses thinner than 2 millimeters have one kind of strap, and all lenses between 2 and 4 millimeters have another.

Some lenses are thicker on the outside than on the inside (or vice-versa). This could for example end up requiring 0-2 millimeter straps on the outside and 2-4 millimeter straps at the bridge. If this is the case, rest assured that we can do this - just let us know by e-mail that this is what you would like done with your order.

The curl temples on my frame aren't really comfortable. What can I do?

Many assume that the shape of the curl as it is delivered is how you are supposed to wear it. This is not true. Do not hesitate to confidently bend the curl part of the temples into a shape that's more comfortable. The wire at the end of the curl is intended to be flexible for precisely that reason. You can bend the tip of the curl outwards if you find it's poking your ears, or reduce the curl angle, or even add to the length of the temple by 'uncurling' part of the temple's curl.

The acetate (or Windsor) rimming on my frames is falling off, has fallen off, or is damaged. What can I do?

If you're still in possession of the rimming and it is intact, your local optician will be able to easily glue it back on. If the rimming is damaged, or has been lost, you can purchase replacement rimming from us, and your optician should have no problem getting it on.

If you feel you have questions that have not been answered in this FAQ and that would be of general interest, please contact us and we'll add them here!